The Red Palm Weevil, deadly to certain types of palm trees if not detected early enough, continues on its merry way throughout the region, despite the provincial Department of Agriculture saying that the little beastie is ‘under control’.
The Costa del Sol area is particularly badly hit as many vulnerable or infected trees were imported from Egypt and now adorn the coastline. Up until September last year, 2,908 palms had been cut down and subsequently destroyed as a result of infestation by the Red Palm Weevil and, at that time, there were another 521 cases pending.
Just five months later, the waiting list for inspection or destruction is 3,000 units. Around 10% of Málaga trees are infected by the destructive critter. There is no effective cure for an infected tree, the only possible reprieve being if the infestation is caught early enough, and prevention through the use of various pesticides is the only method of controlling the situation.
Pesticides can be sprayed onto palms but the spray needs to reach the crown or base of the plant. Authorised insecticides for this purpose are:
- Diazinón 24% CS
- Fenitrotión 40% SC
- Fenitrotión 40% WP
- Fosmet 45 % SC
- Imidacloprid 20% SL.